Author's note: This is my first story. I hope it is interesting and inspiring. I wanted to write a realistic and heartwarming sequel story to the movie Madeline from 1998. This is the first part of what I think is becoming a trilogy. Any comments are welcome.

A challenging reunion

Madeline was running with Aggie again. Clavel was keeping an eye out from a distance.

"I'll beat you," Aggie yelled.
"You never beat me," Madeline yelled as she outpaced Aggie as usual, when suddenly she saw Vicky jumping rope and got distracted for a second.
"I beat you! I actually beat you!" Aggie yelled.
"Oh yeah… I guess you did,"
"Wanna run again?" Aggie asked.
"...yeah sure,"

Madeline and Aggie did a few more contests and Madeline won each time again.

"I guess my victory was a fluke," Aggie conceded.
"Oh… you will get better if you train more," Madeline said. She noticed Miss Clavel

They went inside, ate dinner, brushed their teeth, put on their pajama's and went to bed… though not to sleep. They chatted in the dark for about an hour, something Miss Clavel had basically come to accept at this point.

"Madeline, tell us again how you and Pepito escaped the idiots on that motorcycle," Lucinda asked.
"It's still interesting?" Madeline asked.
"Yes, of course," Aggie replied.
"Well, okay then," Madeline said as started from their escape in the morning while all the girls listened with excitement, even Vicky.

When Madeline had finished the story, Lucinda asked: "How did you two escape in the first place?"
"Oh, they had left some of their juggling knives in the truck. We used those to cut the ropes," Madeline said.
"Oh wow… you were very lucky then!"
"Yes… I guess we were," Madeline responded.

All the girls went to sleep except for Madeline, who kept staring at the ceiling for many more minutes. She eventually closed her eyes and tried to get to sleep.

She felt herself sitting in a circus train. Pepito was sitting back to back against her. How am I back here? She thought?

"I can do anything, I can do anything," she repeated to herself. She looked around but… the knives weren't there! What?! She thought.

"Pepito! Wake up! Do you see anything to cut these ropes with?"
"What? Madeline... um no, I don't,"
"Well…. Um... try to get free. Come on!" Madeline said as she struggled to free her hands. She pulled and pulled, but it was no use.
"Miss Clavel! Where are you?" Madeline tried to yell, but no words seemed to come out.

Madeline woke up gasping for air.

"Are you alright, Madeline? It seemed like you were having a nightmare," a familiar voice said.
"Vickie?" Madeline said surprised.
"Yes, it's me. You alright?"
"Yeah… I am fine. I am fine," Madeline replied.

Madeline laid down till the other girls woke up. Got dressed, did her hair, brushed her teeth and went to eat breakfast with the rest. She remained rather quiet throughout, till Miss Clavel suddenly started talking to the girls.

"Everyone, I got some great news for you. Pepito and his family are coming over again. They want to spend a long vacation here," Clavel said as the girls reacted with excitement.
"You'll get to see your boyfriend again," Lucinda said teasingly.
"He's not my boyfriend," Madeline shot back.
"Oh, relax, Madeline," Lucinda said.

Pepito is coming back. Has he missed me? Thought of our adventure? I have so much to ask him. Madeline thought. She felt excited to see him. But strangely also anxious. A bit nauseous. What was wrong with her?